Christmas Devotional Day 14: Go and spread the Good News!

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

GO! With feet fitted and ready

After the shepherds heard from the Lord through the angels, they literally dropped what they were doing and went to go see it for themselves. They saw the baby, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard were amazed.

All who heard were amazed.

The scriptures are so blunt sometimes. Just like that, the shepherds went, they saw, and they went to all of the people they could reach. The messages between the lines are just left for us to ponder, and for God to reveal when we meet Him someday. Doesn’t it make you want to just dig in, though, and find out exactly what happened?? I mean, they left to go to Bethlehem, to look for a baby in a barn, who they were told to worship. Then they went further and told EVERYONE that the Lord had said to them. Those are all pretty big moments. Those were some pretty obedient shepherds..

How many times do we run with fresh energy to spread the Good Word?

I can only speak for myself when I say; not always, or, not always with such zeal. I often hesitate out of fear of looking crazy, or offending someone.. or just being wrong. What if I ruin a good relationship here on earth to boast of the riches of Heaven? What if I lose a lifelong friend by imposing eternity onto their skeptical heart? I feel the Lord previews this struggle between what we are called to do by faith and who are currently called to on earth by showing us these shepherds on the move. Though it doesn’t say whether or not they took the sheep, I must imagine that they had to take them along. Their entire career is based on the care of those sheep and I cannot see them leaving them for anything; not even this. Though it may have been a risk to take them along, I believe it was done with a strong faith after a loud call by the Lord.

This is what we must understand.. they were called to GO

We will always be given lights and sounds from God, and though no one else may be around to confirm that what we saw was real, we must run with that faith and share the good news. We cannot just leave our earthly lives behind, however. We must take them with us TO the King, and lay it all at the cross. Just as God met the shepherds where they were, He will meet us. Just as they went, we must go when called.

I do not think it’s a coincidence that the piece of armor associated with the Gospel is that which covers our feet:

“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

Fitted and ready. That’s how it must be. What an amazing night for those shepherds..

How is it for you to share the good news?

Do you run with zeal, or do you meander along?

What do you think it would take for you to GO with great faith and without hesitation?

Your Fancy Little Takeaway

Today, I challenge you to heed the Lord’s message to speak to someone; to GO with the gospel and share the Good News. That night, those shepherds were not expecting the job they were appointed, and we won’t either, I’m sure. God’s way is mysterious, yes, but we can be sure that it is always spontaneous and exciting. Pray for Him to reveal to you any opportunity to share Him with another person. Pray for Him to give you confidence to boldly go to the throne for someone and pray on their behalf. Pray for Him to fit your feet with the readiness of those shepherds and give you the nudge to GO!